Robert Downey Jr. is officially back on a Marvel set, and he’s bringing both a villainous twist and heartfelt camaraderie with him.
In a surprise Instagram post that lit up fan speculation, Downey shared a behind-the-scenes photo from the set of Avengers: Doomsday. In the image, the Oscar-winning actor flexes his arm while reading My Next Breath, a memoir by his Avengers co-star and real-life friend Jeremy Renner. Taken outside his trailer, the photo also features a poster of Marvel’s infamous villain Doctor Doom, emblazoned with the message: “Do not knock. Trust yourself.”
“Reading Renner’s book and feeling stronger already… What a journey to wisdom… very instructive… a must-read!” Downey captioned the photo, hinting at a philosophical turn as well as a physical one and confirming his return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe in a bold new role.
From Iron Man to Doctor Doom?
While Marvel has yet to formally announce casting details for Avengers: Doomsday, Downey’s post strongly suggests he’s stepping into the role of Doctor Doom, a sharp pivot from the heroic Tony Stark/Iron Man he portrayed for over a decade.
Fan speculation around his casting as Doom has been circulating for months, especially after reports surfaced that Avengers: Doomsday would serve as a multiversal climax to the current
MCU saga. His presence adds major firepower to what is expected to be one of Marvel’s most ambitious entries to date.
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Renner Responds With Emotion and Brotherhood
The post quickly caught the attention of Jeremy Renner, who replied with a touching comment:
“Long way from the ICU… At least we know how this story ends, my brother. Love you.”
Renner’s words reference his miraculous recovery from a near-fatal snowplow accident in January 2023 that left him with over 30 broken bones and significant internal trauma. The Hawkeye actor spent weeks in intensive care and has since made a slow but determined return to public life and acting.
Renner on MCU Future: “I’m Not Half the Jeremy”
While Downey appears to be re-entering the MCU in a new capacity, Renner’s own return remains uncertain. Speaking on the High Performance podcast, Renner recently revealed that he was approached to reprise his role as Clint Barton for Hawkeye Season 2, but under less-than-ideal circumstances.
“They asked me to do Season 2, and they offered me half the money,” Renner said. “I’m like, ‘Well, it’s going to take me twice the amount of work for half the amount of money, and eight months of my time, essentially, to do it for half the amount.’”
The actor, who emphasized that he didn’t demand more than his original salary, explained his decision to decline the offer after what he described as a lowball proposal in the wake of his accident.
“I’m like, ‘I’m sorry. Why did you think I’m only half the Jeremy because I got ran over?’” he said.
While Disney has not officially commented on Renner’s claims, an anonymous studio insider reportedly disputed parts of his version of events but offered no further clarification.
A Brotherhood Beyond the Screen
Downey and Renner’s exchange is more than just mutual admiration; it’s a reminder of the deep personal bonds forged during the decade-long run of The Avengers saga. Their friendship, now documented through book pages and Instagram posts, continues to echo even as the MCU evolves into new phases, faces, and timelines.
Whether Renner’s future with Marvel is over or just paused, Downey’s post ensures his friend’s journey remains center stage even amid a brewing doomsday.
